The Heir (35 page)

"Here you're going to need this."

Dani took the small vial from her and looked
at the silver liquid inside. "Is this what I think it is?"

"Yes it is. I found it in my father's things
when I went to Montana to claim my inheritance... I figure you're
going to need it if you're really going through with this. I don't
know what happened between you and Christian but I do know that he
isn't going to let you go. That's only enough for a year or two and
I hope that's all the time you need."

Dani pocketed the vial, “thanks, I owe you
one."

Jessica shook her head, "We're even." Dani
nodded and turned to go but Jessica stopped her half way to the
door, “and Dani, we're family. I hope you find what you're looking
for but if you don't, remember that you have us."

Dani smiled and on impulse ran to give her a
hug. They drew apart and Jessica asked her, "Are you leaving
now?"

"Yeah"

"Did you already tell our parents?"

"Yes, I just came from there, they don't know
but Christian..." She shrugged "I just told them I needed to get
away. They told me to tell you that they will be coming over in a
bit to see the baby."

Jessica nodded and Dani pointed at the door
behind her, "I'm going to get going. Thanks...for everything."

Jessica waved her thanks away. "Go, my
mom-Layla will be waiting for you when you get off the plane."

They hugged one last time then Jessica
watched her go.

Alone in the office, Jessica prepared herself
for what was to come. She wasn't looking forward to breaking
Christian’s heart. Jessica prayed that Dani quickly found what she
was looking for and hurried back.

A couple of hours later Jessica was in the
kitchen with baby Aleksey when Christian came barging in with a
crumpled note in his hand. He looked ready to commit murder.

"Where is she?!"

"She left"

"Where did she go?"

Jessica shook her head, "She asked me not to
tell you that."

"She is my mate."

"And she is my sister, she needs time."

Christian ignored her; he headed for the door
and looked over his shoulder at her, daring her to stop him. "I'm
going after her."

Minutes later Nick found him in his room
packing his things. There was desperation in his movements that
Nick recognized all too well. It was for that reason that he hated
what he had to do.

"Put your things back."

Christian stood up straight, hands fisted at
his sides. "Is that an order?"

Nick crossed his arms over his chest. "Does
it have to be?"

Christian bit back a snarl. "How can you ask
this of me? You, who knows what it's like to be separated from your
mate."

Nick shook his head unable to answer him. He
stepped into the room, sat on the bed and bid Christian to sit next
to him. "I don't know what happened between the two of you when you
first came here..." He paused to give Christian a chance to fill
him in but he stayed quiet. Nick nodded, respecting his decision
and continued, “she needs time and right now we need you here. I
know it's unfair what I'm asking if you but I need to hear I can
let you go. If it was any other time it wouldn't be a problem, you
have to understand that."

Christian nodded but they were interrupted
before he could speak.

"Matt's here and he wants us all in the
office a.s.a.p." Axel told them.

Matt waited until they were all seated before
pulling out a stack of gruesome pictures out of an envelope and
setting them on the desk. They were old pictures of a murdered
shifter and Jessica had the sick feeling that she knew who it was.
Matt also sent a note written in big bold red letters next to
them.

Jessica read the note out loud.

"She is next."

"The cat is out of the bag" Matt told them,
"I'm not sure if they figured it out when you killed Kate or when
you went up to Montana to claim your inheritance."

"So what do we do now?"

Nick stood up behind her, placed his hands on
her shoulders and said, "We get ready for war."

####

Book two of The Chosen Mate Series, Matt and
Sarah’s Story, “His Scorned Mate” coming soon.

Author Bio

Ariana Rodriguez, jack of all trades master
of none. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, four
year old daughter, a school of ‘Molly’ fish and one parakeet.
Writing and reading helps her escape the everyday chaos of being a
stay at home mom and she hopes that, like her, others will also
lose themselves in the world of her stories.